Swiss stocks - Factors to watch on Aug 23

ZURICH, Aug 23 (Reuters) - Swiss stocks were expected to open higher on Friday, mirroring other European markets as upbeat economic data suggesting the global economy is expanding buoyed sentiment.

The Swiss blue-chip SMI was seen opening 0.2 percent higher at 8,002 points, according to premarket indications by bank Julius Baer.

The following are some of the main factors expected to affect Swiss stocks on Friday:

COMPANY STATEMENTS

* Kaba is acquiring China’s Shenzhen Probuck Technologies, a specialist in making electronic door locks with its own fingerprint technology, which has around 340 employees and generates annual turnover of around 10 million francs.